Endovenous laser treatment

Endovenous laser treatment is presently reigning supreme when it comes to removal of varicose veins. In this procedure, an optical fibre is inserted into the vein to be treated, and through this channel a laser, which has its wavelength in the infrared spectrum, is transmitted to the blood and vein cells. This causes the vein to contract and slowly blocks blood circulation through it. Lack of circulation causes the vein to gradually degrade and decompose. While the laser is being transmitted, the optical fibre channel is intermittently withdrawn portion by portion.
EVLT (Endovenous Laser Treatment) is the same treatment as ELT but is a trademark name owned by Diomed and used as the name for their 910nm laser treatment unit for ELT. In a similar manner, many other medical corporations use trademark fibres of different and signature wavelengths. These varying wavelengths thought have but one aim, to maximise damage to the varicose vein while at the same time causing minimal damage to the adjoining tissues.

Though highly preferred and popular, this kind of laser treatment is not immune to side effects. After the procedure the patient is prone to express pain and itch in the operated area, which turns red. Cat-scratch appearance and swelling too are not very uncommon. But these symptoms rarely persist for more than a week or too, and if they do and scarring is observed, a revisit to the doctor’s clinic is advisable.